“Of course I was,” he says. “When I saw him at your house so often, I knew he’d taken a special interest in you. Which only made this whole situation that much sweeter.” His tone drips with distaste.
“You really are a sick bastard.”
“You know I tried to recruit him into our group because of how powerful he is with his technology and all the money and power he fucking has. But of course, he had to fuck with my plans and get in the way of what I want.” He pauses, suddenly changes his expression with his face now softening. “And then to find out he’s not only a killer, but astalker?” His high pitched chuckle sends chills up my spine. “Then, of all the people he could be stalking, he chooses the lieutenant’s daughter. You became the whole package, sweet cheeks. I could get back at your dadandRiver.”
Andrew pauses, sliding his phone from his pocket. “River Thompson.”
“River!” I scream, hoping to show him I’m still alive.
“Shut up, you bitch,” Andrew warns before putting the phone on speaker. “Don’t make me gag you.”
“I will hunt you down and make you pay with your life.” River’s voice is dark on the other end.
“Then you better get here,” Andrew retorts. “My dick can’t wait any longer.”
“If you touch a single h—”
Andrew hangs up before River can finish.
“Noo!’ I cry out, tears stinging the backs of my eyes. “Let me go!”
Andrew stalks over to me and straddles my hips. “God, you’re so annoying.” He slaps me across the face and my vision blurs. “I don’t know how River can stand you.”
“Fuck you,” I spit out.
Then he hits the side of my face, and this time everything goes black.
Chapter 36
River
Racing down the highway, I’m approaching a hundred miles an hour. Rage has taken over. Lux is the most amazing woman I have ever met and I can’t let anything happen to her.
All those nights sitting outside her townhouse, watching her from the cameras on my phone, hoping one day I’d get to touch her—until I finally did. To say being with her is like heaven would never be close enough to how it feels. The softness of her skin, the intensity in her eyes, and the way she looks at me like I’m not the monster that I am.
I grip the steering wheel, staring down the narrow, windy highway with my thoughts clouded. The impulsivity of my darkness is what fucked it up. Andrew got to her, because of me. I vowed to protect her, and I didn’t.
I feel nothing but everything all at once.
Andrew doesn’t know who the fuck he is messing with.
My phone rings through the car. “Did you check into the planning and zoning databases?” I ask before Sebastian has a chance to say anything.
“Yes.” Sebastian clears his throat, then in a rushed tone he names off a long list of local Hughes’ family properties. “We could start one by one. Or simply check his primary residence?”
I nod, pulling into the underground garage at the manor and skidding to the spot closest to the elevator. “He wouldn’t keep her at his house. He might be a twisted fuck, but he isn’t stupid.”
“You’re right.” Sebastian pauses. “Seems like a dumb move, even for him.”
I grab my phone, step out of the car and head straight to my office. “I’m here. Meet me in my office,” I tell him before hanging up.
By the time I make it to my office, Sebastian is right behind me, furiously typing on his computer that’s held in one hand.
“What about new construction?’ I continue our conversation.
“Or a building they’ve just closed escrow on? Can we check the MLS for any property updates?”
He takes a seat on the leather couch. “Already on it.”
